California

Choose Your Pace: Hiking Yosemite Up Close and Personal

Program No. 13977RJ
Hike at the pace you choose each day and see authentic Yosemite with experts. Discover giant sequoias and glacially carved valleys, and learn the story of this national treasure.

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Protecting the Environment

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At a Glance

Those who really want to know Yosemite must explore its wonders on foot. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers like John Muir, the father of Yosemite National Park, and Galen Clark, its Guardian, not to mention the Native Americans who first inhabited this enchanting land. Explore Yosemite’s unique glacially-carved valleys, granite monoliths, waterfalls and lush meadows in small groups divided by desired difficulty and learn about geology and natural history during on-site lectures.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Choose Your Pace
Each day, choose from either a moderate or challenging hike based on your desired level of challenge and pace. The moderate hikes range from 5-6 miles and the challenging hikes range from 6-9 miles on varied terrain. Elevations of 3,100–8,100 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Trek major trails in Yosemite Valley areas of Yosemite National Park and Mariposa Grove with expert hikers.
  • Learn about the geology, flora, fauna and human history of this "queen of the national parks."
  • Explore the complexities of managing Yosemite National Park from the perspective of those who have worked in the park.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and a live performance or event.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Tim Fabbian
Rooted between three of California's most beautiful national parks, it was destiny that Tim would grow to love Yosemite. After experiencing the summit of Mt. Whitney for the first time, he was inspired to pursue more moments spent 9,000 feet above the elevation of a desk job. Tim loves coffee, surfing California's rivers, listening for the silent wisdom of the Giant Sequoias and sharing gourds Yerba Mate among friends. Of all those things, Tim's greatest passion is skiing in the winter seasons down the Sierras.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Tim Fabbian
Tim Fabbian View biography
Rooted between three of California's most beautiful national parks, it was destiny that Tim would grow to love Yosemite. After experiencing the summit of Mt. Whitney for the first time, he was inspired to pursue more moments spent 9,000 feet above the elevation of a desk job. Tim loves coffee, surfing California's rivers, listening for the silent wisdom of the Giant Sequoias and sharing gourds Yerba Mate among friends. Of all those things, Tim's greatest passion is skiing in the winter seasons down the Sierras.
Profile Image of Doug Jensen
Doug Jensen View biography
Doug Jensen recently retired after more than 20 years as an administrator in education, including eight years in developing and supervising Outdoor Environmental Education programs. One of the significant motivators behind his retirement was based upon his love for Outdoor Environmental Education and his desire to re-enter that field. He is so fortunate to live in an area where the Sierra National Forest is my yard boundary; I spend most of my free time exploring and learning new things about nature.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Oakhurst, CA
D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in Lyles Dining Hall to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. We’ll enjoy a get-acquainted social hour that includes drinks and appetizers.

Dinner: 6:30 p.m. in Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: 7:30 p.m. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. This program has a Road Scholar activity rating of “Outdoor: Choose Your Pace.” Field trips off site will be via shuttle bus. Field trips to and from Yosemite are around 35 miles each way on country roads. Classes will be held in Lower Lyles West or the chapel, a short walk from Lyles. Field trips including Day 5 may include walks/hikes of varying lengths to enhance and illustrate the subjects being taught. If mobility is an issue, please contact ECCO for further information. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. ECCO will provide reusable water bottles to use throughout the program. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we’ll have a review of trails to be hiked, review of equipment requirements and safety considerations. Please note that daily hike destinations may be revised during the program due to weather or other circumstances as necessary.

DAY
2
Hike Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time; country roads. Moderate hike: 6 miles, elevation gain/loss 1000+ feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet. Challenging hike: 7 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,200 feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: At 7:45 a.m., we will board the shuttle bus and ride to Mariposa Grove (30 min. drive) where we’ll begin our hike for the day. Choose from two hikes, moderate or challenging. Moderate hike: 6 miles, elevation gain/loss 1000+ feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet. Challenging hike: 7 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,200 feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet.

Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: After completing our hike in the late afternoon, we will return to the Mariposa Grove parking lot and reboard the shuttle bus for return to ECCO (30 min. drive).

Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Possibilities could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area.

DAY
3
High Country Hikes, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Glacier Point
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, gardening, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 90 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time; country roads. Moderate Hike: 5.75 miles; elevation gain 1,000 feet, net loss 500 feet; hike begins at 7,700 feet. Challenging Hike: 9 miles; elevation gain/loss 1,000 feet, net gain 200 feet; hike begins at 7,000 feet.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle bus for today’s field trips to Yosemite trailheads (1 hr. 30 min. drive). Choose from two hikes, moderate or challenging. Moderate hike: 5.75 miles, elevation gain 1,000 feet, net loss 500 feet; hike begins at 7,700 feet. Challenging hike: 9 miles; elevation gain/loss 1,000 feet, net gain 200 feet; hike begins at 7,000 feet.

Lunch: In the field, we’ll have our sack lunches.

Afternoon: After completing our hikes mid-afternoon, we will return to the shuttle stop and reboard the shuttle bus for return to ECCO (1 hr. 30 min. drive).

Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert.

DAY
4
Yosemite Valley Full Free Day
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Extent of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for a full free day for independent exploration in Yosemite, to see and do what interests each of us most (1 hr. 30 min. drive). Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Lunch: In Yosemite, we’ll have our sack lunches.

Afternoon: We will continue our free time in the Park. If you like, tag-a-long on a scheduled Park Ranger walk or talk (as available), or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of Yosemite. We will rendezvous at the shuttle stop at 3:15 p.m. and reboard the shuttle bus for our return to ECCO (1 hr. 30 min. drive).

Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert.

DAY
5
Yosemite Hikes: Cliffs, Domes, Waterfalls
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Moderate Hike: 4.75 miles, elevation gain 200 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet. Challenging Hike: 5.75 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,500 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle bus for our last day of hiking in Yosemite(1 hr. 30 min. drive). Choose from two hikes, moderate or challenging. Moderate hike: 4.75 miles, elevation gain 200 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet. Challenging hike: 5.75 miles in length, elevation gain/loss 1,500 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet.

Lunch: In Yosemite, we’ll have our sack lunches.

Afternoon: After completing our hikes mid-afternoon, we will return to the shuttle stop and reboard the shuttle bus for return to ECCO (1 hr. 30 min. drive).

Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert. Prepare for check-out and departure after lunch tomorrow.

DAY
6
ECCO Property Hike, Program Concludes
Oakhurst, CA
B,L

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, gardening, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 3+ miles, less than 1/4 hour riding time. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; mixture of single track rolling hill trails, wide dirt forest service roads; elevation loss 325 feet. Lodge check-out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle bus and ride to the beginning point of our last hike. This area, south of Yosemite National Park, boasts its own beauty, which we will experience as we hike from the Cedar Valley trailhead along Lewis Creek through National Forest land back to ECCO. We will stop by ECCO's waterfalls and swimming holes, nature trails and meadows on our way back to the lodge. Returning to the lodge, we’ll have some time to shower and pack before lunch.

Lunch: In Lyles Dining Hall. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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